The 30th anniversary of the release of her first album, "Tell It To my Heart," is in 2018, and her "Tell It To My Heart" tour, which she brings to Genesee Theatre April 1, is all about rejoicing with her fans, she said.

The singer, songwriter, dancer and actress was named in December 2016 by Billboard Magazine as the 28th most successful dance artist of all time. She's had 18 hit songs, including "Love Will Lead You Back," and has appeared in Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Cats" and Elton John's "Aida."

Now she's working on a new album, an autobiography and her tour.

It all started in kindergarten, she said.

"I was an annoying little brat who sang with the radio all the time. I wanted to be a rock and roll star," she said. At the tender age of 5, she was singing solos in front of an audience.

Dayne said it helped that she had an eclectic musical upbringing.

Her father played all kinds of music from Broadway hit songs from "Man of La Mancha," to Joni Mitchell, Three Dog Night and Aerosmith, she said. All those styles influenced her music, she said.

Wanting to be a singer was more than just a dream, she said. "It was in my bones."

She said she has "wonderful stories" of stars who helped her along the way. For example, Prince invited her to sing with him on stage, and she once opened for Michael Jackson.

There are so many moments in her life which helped her become who she is today, she said.

One of those moments was when "Tell It To My Heart" became her first hit, and continued to be in demand whenever she toured.

"It's what they call classic music," she said. People know exactly where they were when they heard the song," and fans do tell her about those times, she said.

About a year ago, Frito Lay asked her if they could use her rendition of the song in a Cheetos commercial.

In the broadcast ad, a father tells his kids in the back seat of the car to pipe down while he ramps up the radio and joins Dayne in song, using a single cheese curl as a microphone.

"I thought it was very clever and a lot of fun," Dayne said.

Dayne took time off her busy performing schedule to raise her twins – a boy and girl. But she's back now. She released a new single, "Dreamin'" in 2014, is producing a new album and touring.

Staying on top in the music business requires "tenacity," she said. "There are a lot of 'Nos' in this business."

Dayne keeps in touch with her fans via social media. They can find out about her book and new album via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, she said.

"It's a different world," she said, adding "2018 (when she celebrates 30 years in the business) is going to be an enormous year."